(a) If any medical, dental or mental health professional,
Christian Science practitioner, religious healer, social service
worker, law-enforcement officer, humane officer, state or regional
ombudsman or any employee of any nursing home or other residential
facility has reasonable cause to believe that an incapacitated
adult or facility resident is or has been neglected, abused or
placed in an emergency situation, or if such person observes an
incapacitated adult or facility resident being subjected to
conditions that are likely to result in abuse, neglect or an
emergency situation, the person shall immediately report the
circumstances pursuant to the provisions of section eleven of this
article: Provided, That nothing in this article is intended to
prevent individuals from reporting on their own behalf.

(b) In addition to those persons and officials specifically
required to report situations involving suspected abuse or neglect
of an incapacitated adult or facility resident or the existence of
an emergency situation, any other person may make such a report.

(c) The secretary shall develop a form for the filing of
written complaints, as provided by section eleven of this article,
and provide these forms to all nursing homes or other residential
facilities, hospitals, ombudsmen and adult protective service
agencies in this state. The forms shall be designed to protect the
identity of the complainant, if desired, and to facilitate the
prompt filing of complaints.

(d) The Department of Health and Human Resources shall develop
and implement a procedure to notify any person mandated to report
suspected abuse and neglect of an incapacitated adult or facility
resident of whether an investigation into the reported suspected
abuse or neglect has been initiated and when the investigation is
completed.